LED upgrade in a RSM 130d, advise needed (1 Viewer)

[Timmydatoolman]

I want to upgrade to LED in my RSM 130d, I have found a few kits, but am not sure what the best option is. My requirements are that the kit fit inside the existing hood, and that the white and blues be individually dimable ( I like the look of itinac blue). I plan on using a RKL to control it.

Has any one here done a similar upgrade on a Redsea Max? What did you use, and are you happy with it?

 

[Nanofreak79]

Rapid led has some pretty straight forward kits. Those are your best bet, as they will come with everyhtimng you need to get the job done. They use high quality LEDs and are available in dimmable and non dimmable kits. You want the dimmable kit. They have a solder less option I believe to, but soldering is very easy once you give it a try. If you need any help let me know! I'm more than willing to help you with it.

 

[mapierce7]

I would stick to a 2:1 royal blue:NEUTRAL white combo so you don't end up with a very bland looking spectrum. I also am a believer in the true violet so I would sprinkle some of those in there as well. Have put together a couple DIY kits so I have picked up a few things that I would do different in the future. For starters I would get my heatsink from www.heatsinkusa.com they have a new 8" that has "T" slots so you can arrange you diodes in any fasion without having to glue them. Pretty shweet!

 

[mapierce7]

If you want to get really into the full spectrum builds there is a great thread here http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/294733-full-spectrum-led-tank-pictures/

 

[Timmydatoolman]

This is why I haven't made the change yet, I have no fear of assembly, but when you start talking about spectrum I start to get nervous, afraidvill choose poorly and my tank will either look bad or do poorly, or both.

 

[Nanofreak79]

As stated use the 2:1 RB to NW ratio for your main colors. When adding the additional colors you can make it easy by adding ocean coral white stars(OCW) which consist of Red,Cyan and Cool blue all on one star. You also want to add in some true violets as well. Make sure that all channels are individually controlled for best color rendition. To figure out how many of what color and placement, you can find layouts on nanoreef.com or even better Milad from Ledgroupbuy.com can tell you exactly what you need. ledgroupbuy.com is where I normally purchase LEDs, but I purchase drivers elsewhere as there's are a little spendy. If you need help figuring out layout etc. After researching things I can help. There was another member here that I was suppose to retro his RSM, but he ended up selling the tank before install.

 

[mapierce7]

This is why I haven't made the change yet, I have no fear of assembly, but when you start talking about spectrum I start to get nervous, afraidvill choose poorly and my tank will either look bad or do poorly, or both.

That's what is great about DIY, completely upgradeable. I wouldn't have any fears of your spectrum.

 

[mpageler]

Rapid LED does have a solderless "3 led puck" light kit. With 8 pucks, each containing 2 blues, one white, kind of minics the AI SOL blue module and has driver version for RKL

 

[Nanofreak79]

Your going to have to hang that or figure out a way to attach to your hood, if it even fits...something to think about. With that kit your stuck with blue and white. You deffinetly want to go with full spectrum build or fixture IMO.

 

[NickMan]

I would stick to a 2:1 royal blue:NEUTRAL white combo so you don't end up with a very bland looking spectrum. I also am a believer in the true violet so I would sprinkle some of those in there as well. Have put together a couple DIY kits so I have picked up a few things that I would do different in the future. For starters I would get my heatsink from www.heatsinkusa.com they have a new 8" that has "T" slots so you can arrange you diodes in any fasion without having to glue them. Pretty shweet!

This is the route i went with my DIY build and I think it turned out great. I used 2 10" square heatsinks from Heatsinksusa.com and basically modeled mine after a radion. Only mine is 2 giant arrays using all of the chips mentioned above. I did this to keep it modular so i could expand the build for a 6 foot tank that is hopefully going to happen in the next year.

I wish they had those 8.460" LED T-Slots heat sinks when I made mine! I just couldnt afford the Makers LED heatsinks.